The government of Burundi has accused a prominent opposition leader of organising a plot to kill the president.

In a television announcement, the security ministry said that Pierre-Celestin Ndikumana, of the main opposition coalition, had masterminded a plan for three other people to assassinate President Pierre Nkurunziza, other top officials and two members of parliament.

There are moves to lift his immunity from prosecution.

Mr Ndikumana said the accusations were a crude attempt to intimidate him. With the government clamping down on the opposition, there is a widespread climate of fear in Burundi.

It’s three years since President Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term, an announcement that sparked civil unrest leading to more than 1,000 deaths and nearly 500,000 displaced. -BBC